South African Uber advertising firm set to enter Kenyan market

A South African company is set to partner with Uber in Kenya to install in-vehicle advertising for customers using the online-hailed cabs.

The South African firm, Hubble, will install in-vehicle screens in Uber cars.

The Hubble sales and commercial director David Taitz confirmed the move in a media interview but did not give timelines for the Kenyan entry. Hubble is also eyeing the Dubai market.

The partnership provides a platform for advertisers to engage with Uber riders while they browse the entertainment options available. Touchscreens installed in Uber vehicles will allow riders to view information about attractions and restaurants, and allow them to select from various local entertainment options.

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Since its launch in September 2016, Hubble, a Cape Town start-up said it has supplied 500 screens in South Africa and recently launched 200 screens in the Ukraine.

“In just one year, we as a company have grown over 700 per cent. Not only have we achieved success in South Africa, but have partnered with Uber in Kenya, Ukraine and Dubai,” Mr Taitz was quoted saying by local press.

Hubble did not respond to queries on the planned Kenya entry. Uber Kenya officials remained guarded on the launch.

“At the moment, we are not partnering with Hubble in Kenya,” said Janet Kemboi, Uber communications associate for East Africa in an email response.

Uber has 363,000 active users in Kenya, according to the latest statistics released by the company to mark its fourth year of operation on the continent.

The statistics by the San-Fransisco-based firm show South Africa as Uber’s biggest market in Africa with 969,000 active riders; Kenya is second. The data shows 5,000 and 12,000 Uber drivers are signed up in Kenya and South Africa, respectively.

Kenya remains Uber’s most vibrant market in East Africa as Uganda and Tanzania have 48,000 and 53,000 active riders in that order, each country signing up 1,000 drivers.